Mar. 25, 2013

Branford Marsalis will return to Burlington for the Discover Jazz Festival, June 2. / Courtesy photo

Written by

Free Press Staff Writer

Renowned vocalist Bobby McFerrin, celebrated trumpeter Dave Douglas and a member of the jazz-royalty Marsalis family are among the headliners announced Monday for this spring’s Burlington Discover Jazz Festival.

For every recognizable name like Branford Marsalis, however, there’s a lesser-known act that puts the “discover” in the Discover Jazz Festival, from a Colombian harpist to Brazilian pianist and bossa nova singer to a sprawling jazz/world-music ensemble that calls Vermont home. Tickets go on sale in April. These are the highlights of the festival, which runs May 31 through June 9:

• 8 p.m. May 31, guitar star John Scofield has crossover appeal from his work with everyone from John Mayer to Mavis Staples to Medeski Martin & Wood. He’s part of a double bill at the Flynn Center with his Uberjam Band plus the Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio. $15-$52.

• 8 p.m. June 1, vocalist Bobby McFerrin is best known for “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and using his body as a musical instrument. The multiple Grammy winner will tap into the world of spirituals for this concert at the Flynn Center. $25-$80.

• 10 p.m. June 1, if the phrase “Colombian harpist” sounds off-putting, the music of the Edmar Castaneda Quartet might change your tune. His concert at FlynnSpace could leave you uttering a phrase that’s almost as rarely-heard as “Colombian harpist” — “wow, he rocks the harp.” $25.

• 8 p.m. June 4, the intimate FlynnSpace will be filled with nearly 20 of Vermont’s top jazz musicians when The Saturn People’s Sound Collective, led by central Vermont trumpeter Brian Boyes, plays its blend of jazz, rock and world music. $25.

• 8 p.m. June 5, 40-year-old Boston trio The Fringe heads west for a gig at FlynnSpace. $25.

• 8 p.m. June 7, Eliane Elias combines piano and vocals influenced by her native Brazil on music such as her latest album, “Light My Fire,” which gives The Doors song the bossa-nova treatment. She’ll perform with her trio at the Flynn Center following the Vermont All State Jazz Ensemble. $15-$45.

• 11 p.m. June 7, the basement club Signal Kitchen hosts what should be an intense late night of music with the soulful group Lee Fields and the Expressions. Ticket price to be announced.